The support of their local GP plays a crucial role for people with disabilities joining the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
That's the advice contained in the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) submission to the joint standing committee examining the transitional arrangements for people with disabilities moving on to the NDIS.
RACGP President Bastian Seidel says, “GPs develop a strong relationship with their patients and understand the complex interaction between the health and social issues that they face.
“So of course we’re concerned when we hear that the needs of many people with disabilities are not being met when they access disability services.
“Some people with disabilities and their practitioners are also struggling to understand the range and availability of NDIS services and urgently need better information about them.
“Our submission makes it clear that GPs have had little to no input into the NDIS so far.
“If GPs could have a contact within NDIS that would help them communicate a patient’s issues or amend their plan.
“A follow up from the NDIS – something as simple as a courtesy note or providing a patient’s plan to their usual GP - would also enable GPs to keep a complete record of their patients’ healthcare journey and improve their continuity of care.
"GPs often need to provide supporting evidence for a patient's request to access the NDIS by completing Supporting Evidence and Access Request forms, documenting a patient's disability or providing copies of reports about a diagnosis.
"Clearer guidelines on how much information is needed and better education and training would ensure GPs can help their patients access services in a timely and reliable manner.
"We are also recommending providing patients with access to an independent advocate.
"Some patients report that they have experienced a reduction of services with the introduction of the NDIS and it's clear that those with no family or carer to advocate on their behalf are more vulnerable to this.
"We would welcome further discussions with the National Disability Insurance Agency to share information, develop education programs and support our patients' access to health and disability services.
For more information about the support GPs provide to people with disabilities please see the Disability unit on the Curriculum for Australian General Practice 2016 on the RACGP's website: www.racgp.org.au